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Germany 'hypocritical' on NATO: US envoy to Germany Richard Grenell

US President Donald Trump's top diplomat in Berlin said German politicians were not committed enough to NATO's defense spending target. He also said the country should have learned a better lesson from WWII.

"It seems hypocritical to say that we should reform NATO while not aiming for the 2%," Richard Grenell told Bild newspaper, referring to an alliance goal of spending at least 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense.

He said he also found it surprising "how many German politicians try to talk about the 2% as a mere aim, but not a true commitment."

US criticizes Germany over defense spending

US criticizes Germany over defense spending

Speaking to Bild, Grenell reiterated that German companies active in Iran risked falling foul of US sanctions.

"You can do business in Iran all you want, but we get to have a policy," he said. "If you do this, we're not comfortable having you come into our country."

Asked about what surprised him the most about Germany during his first year as ambassador, Grenell said: "I've been surprised at how reluctant the Germans are to flex their muscles in Brussels and on the world stage."

Germany's lessons

The ambassador also said Germany had learned the wrong lesson of "we don't like war, we'll stay out" from its experience in World War II.